Hello March!

I'd love to tell you that I've been too busy getting on with family life to blog and that everything is perfect and wonderful. But that wouldn't strictly be true.
After the initial excitement of having Lily join  us, we've all discovered our own little struggles that we're having to deal with and things are a little up and down at the moment.
I do want to talk about it properly, because I've been pretty shocked by the way having Lily has affected us all and I have a feeling that the things we're struggling with are completely common. And yet I've never heard them talked about and that surprises and dismays me slightly.
However, I would also like to try my hardest to keep this as a craft blog, so for today, and in an attempt to get myself back on track, I'm going to ignore our trials and tribulations and show you a cushion that I made for Lily's room just before she was born.

These houses are as close as I've come to having a theme for the nursery. I started sewing them because I could do it by hand when I was in bed feeling lousy with pregnancy.

Instead of just using bondaweb to applique the houses directly on to the linen, I hand sewed the individual pieces of fabric on to pieces of batting.  Creating a little, padded house, which I then cut out and machine stitched on to the linen. (if that made no sense at all, please bear in mind that I gave birth only two weeks ago and my brain still isn't working!).

After stitching the houses on to the linen (which I backed with more batting) I quilted around them and then machine stitched a circular 'path' in the center of the cushions because I wanted it to have a village green feel to it.

I made the binding myself - cutting it on the bias so that it had the necessary stretch in it (for my normal quilt binding I don't bother cutting it on the bias) and hand stitched it on the back as usual.
Like I said before, the houses are a bit of a theme in the nursery, with more of them adorning flannel blankets and Lily's (still unfinished) quilt. And yet more waiting to be finished off.
The actual nursery still isn't completely done, hence the lack of pictures, but I'm hoping to be able to spend a little more time in the studio this coming week, so progress should (hopefully) be made.
I was actually able to get in to there for a good few hours the other day, but ended up wandering around it, not really knowing how to get myself started again. A trip to the fabric shop the other day has inspired me again though, so I'm determined to get things going again.
I do hope you can all bear with me in the mean time?

Comments

[hazeljoy]

xx

[rebecca]

I had spied that little cushion in one of your photos before and thought it was gorgeous!

Hope things get easier for you all over the next few weeks, I can only imagine how 'upside down' the world must be after the arrival of number two - always happy to listen. X

[natasha s]

That cushion is so sweet.The houses are absolutely adorable.
Don't worry too much about the birth of Lily knocking you sideways for a while.Each time that I have added to my brood,for the first month I have wondered what on earth was I thinking???
I have even thought that,shock,horror.That it was a bad idea!!!
Eventually I found my rhythm again and each time it got easier quicker.Looking back,the serious lack of sleep certainly made things seem much much worse but it really does end and you forget.You have to. I couldn't have been too scarred either as I am currently pleading for number FOUR!!!!!! Goes to show that with each babe we certainly get a little crazier!!
Hang in there and talk about it here,it won't matter.In fact you will probably get a ton ofg good advice from people that can gently hold your hand as you navigate your way through this uncommon ground.
Take care,
Natasha :0)

[dottydesigns]

I love that cushion and the idea of that theme for a nursery sounds good. Sorry you are having a few trials and tribulations, nothing too serious I hope. good luck with getting in your studio too. x

[Kali]

You just a had a wee babe only two weeks ago, and you are asking us to please bear with you? No fear there Manda, you and your family have heaps to get your heads around...take your time, it will all come good.

[Alicia]

Love, love the cushion. And craft blog, schmaft blog. If you need to vent, vent away. After the birth of my daughter I was stunned (STUNNED!) at how much stuff no one tells you about.

[Cele]

Beautiful cushion. Love the contrast of the linen and the bright fabrics. Bias binding scares me, must have a go sometime. Congrats on the new edition to your family.
Best Wishes Cele.

[QALBALLAH]

Having another child is stressful in many ways - for a while - then a new norm is forged and it's life again. On a selfish note, completely missing your blog presence.

xx
Debbie

[Simone]

You are doing well. I never really got over having my son and that was over 9 years ago! I had the most horrendous Post Natal Depression and lived in an almost zombie like state for about 2 years. I hardly remember him being a baby. Now my life is back on track and I wouldn't give my son up for the world. Give it time. You have only just had Lily. Things will soon fall into place :-)

[lurking helen]

I don't have any children but several of my friends have recently given birth to their second babies, and it does seem to be very hard - much more so than having the first. So I'm sending lots of hope and good thoughts your way Manda.

And Simone, I'm so sad to read about your post-natal depression; it's good to know that things are better now.

The cushion is sweet!

Love to all,

[jerusalem]

adorable cushion! I love it! and I promise whatever you are going through is normal - having the second child throws everyone back under the bus again in new ways, but I think the adjustment period is shorter (if I remember correctly...still hard, and shocking, but shorter...) Feel free to share!

[amy]

i am sure things will settle in with a little bit of time. out here we are all cheering for you guys!

[Joan]

Dearest Manda,
Do give yourself a bresk-- think of it as maternity leave. You can always post pictures of Lily and Bella, your very best creations. Lack of sleep and nursing take a lot of your energy. Keep in touch, those creative brain cells will be fired up soon!
Joan

[Vicki]

Take it from someone who's planning to have numbers 1 and 2 at once...I want to hear all about it. That way, when I am ready to pack a bag and run....I will be able to think back to this and cancel the "change of address". Vent away. That's what we're here for!!!!

[Catherine]

I like your cushion, don't get me wrong, but since I don't sew, I'm not a crafty girl, I don't even have children yet, I read your blog and love it because you're so real, you touch me with your LIFE. I've already learned a lot from the bits you are telling us. Please, don't ever be shameful about any of your struggles.

[Sam]

I know that this is a craft blog, and a wonderful one at that, but Manda, I'm sure I'm not the only one who is drawn to your blog principally because of how real you are about yourself and your relationships with others. I know the feeling of loneliness and frustration that comes from wondering whether other people are going through, or have been through, the difficult times you find yourself in. I don't know what stops us sharing the lows with others but I do know that we all need people like you to open up and be honest and give us permission (for want of a better phrase) to express those feelings freely. I'll never forget that first e-mail you sent me all about how you felt after the birth of Bella. It was like someone turning a light on for me. I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[Concha]

Welcome back, Manda! We have missed you!

[amy]

I can imagine life is not all peachy right now! I don't know how things will be when our second comes out. I am trying to enjoy life as it is right now. :) Please feel free to share everything it's your blog afterall! And a cute cushion that should hold us off in looking at your lovely items for awhile. No rush to make fabulous posts about everything!

[Laura]

I found going from one child to two REALLY difficult. The first year was a huge challenge for me emotionally. Hopefully you can find some escape through your sewing and crafting (I know I always have).

[Mette]

I love the cushion! Great colours. I'm looking forward to more inspiring projects from you. Have a great day.

[lina]

There's only 19 months between my two. When my second came it knocked me for six. Not only from the tiredness, but I really thought I should know what I was doing with number 2. Turns out I didn't - and my confidence was knocked. It took me about 4 or 5 months to adjust and then about 4 years before I felt less tired!! he he! I felt annoyed that it was all kind of not spoken about too - I'd spill my guts whenever anybody asked me how I was. It's far healthier so don't feel bad about it, trust me you are not alone.

Lina x

[Newborns, Infants and Babies of Mine]

Very cute! If you could get some small wooden houses at the craft store, you could paint them to match your pillow. They'd look cute on a wall shelf or lined up on the chair rail.

[liz r.]

The pillow is lovely! Houses as a nursery theme will be very appealing, I think.

I promise that whatever challenges you and your family are encountering, they are normal. Raising children is such a challenge, and adding a new baby messes up the equilibrium you've found. And don't forget you're also coming off an extremely stressful pregnancy. You'll all find your footing again.

[fi]

Glad you are back. The reason we never talk abouy all the scary stuff is because some hormone kicks in after a while to make us forget all the horror so we will have another one. That's my theory and the only explanation I can give for ever having a second child. To prove it, I know it was awful at the time but I honestly couldn't tell you why. If it weren't for the fact that I twigged onto this I'd probably be on number three already!

Has my little parcel not arrived yet? It's been WEEKS since I sent it...

[Periwinkle]

Love the cushion... having another child is very hard at first but it does get easier. No-one told me how jealous the elder child would get or how their behaviour changes and how they get so demanding,, but once the younger child starts laughing at them and acknowledging them it all changes. As for lack of sleep, you get used to being a zombie and never having any time for yourself. Then you look at them and see their smiles and it's all forgotten. Take care and hang on in there.
Lisa x